Messages

91

Introductions / Re: Hi All

« on: Nov 15, 2012, 12:30 am »

Hello and welcome to SMNetwork!  Glad to have you officially join and introduce yourself.  I worked on a production of Doubt a few years ago (just months before the movie came out, which seems to be a pseudo trend for me; it's happened on 3 shows for me--4 if you count that they announced the Willow Smith Annie while I was working on that show). 

And my Stage Manager paradise is The Container Store (which happens to be conveniently located in the shopping center next to the spa where I go for massages, aka my personal paradise;-).

92

The Hardline / Re: Deputy Elections - Chorus and Principal

« on: Oct 25, 2012, 09:07 am »

Like if you have a mixed AEA/Non-AEA cast, it's okay they know who is AEA or Non-AEA.

This is exactly what I was thinking.  Thanks everyone. 

93

The Hardline / Deputy Elections - Chorus and Principal

« on: Oct 24, 2012, 09:52 am »

When working on a show where a chorus and principal deputy is required, do you usually hold that election as part of your AEA business meeting and say something along the lines of "we need to elect a principal deputy among actors A, B, and C and a chorus deputy among actors X, Y, and Z" or do you try to find a time to meet privately with the principals and chorus at separate times so as not to announce who is on a principal contract and who is on a chorus contract? I've always done the former with no complaint but was recently questioned on that practice.  Having enough time for the AEA business meeting is often challenging enough, especially on musicals/large cast shows, I'm having a hard time imagining a scenario when I could hold two.  Just curious as to what the practice is for other SMs. 

94

The Green Room / Article: Finding PHAMALy

« on: Oct 15, 2012, 08:13 am »

Stage Directions Article: Finding PHAMALy

An interview with Denver's Physically Handicapped Actors and Musical Artists League which includes the stage manager's perspective of working with a cast made up entirely of disable actors. 

95

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: ESCRIPTS: Post your requests for electronic scripts here!

« on: Oct 09, 2012, 08:18 am »

I'm looking for Cinderella-Enchanted Edition (the adaptation based on the 1997 TV movie musical with Brandy) in Word (I already have the pdf).  Please PM me if you have it.   

96

The Green Room / Re: The Ring Cycle on PBS this week

« on: Sep 11, 2012, 08:18 am »

The documentary was fascinating.  Loved the part where they showed the SM talking through the ending sequence and whether they'd be able to proceed when the automation broke.  And the artistry and precision required for those set moves.  Just incredible. 

97

Introductions / Re: High school stage manager, craving to learn

« on: Jul 04, 2012, 07:50 am »

Hello and welcome to SMNetwork!  You say that you're in a small town, but if there are any larger cities with professional theatres near you, get in contact them about shadowing their stage manager.  Or hit up the Southeast board in Regionals and see if their are any NC based SMs that would be willing to chat with you/let you shadow.  And hold on to that eagerness/excitement/passion! Best of luck to you!

98

The Green Room / Re: 54 uses for Binder clips

« on: Jun 28, 2012, 09:47 pm »

I use them as "Chip Clips."  Very handy for bags of chips, salads, etc.

99

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Re: ESCRIPTS: Post your requests for electronic scripts here!

« on: May 24, 2012, 04:19 pm »

Looking for The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged) in pdf or Word.  Please PM me for email address. 

100

The Green Room / Re: Introducing the Unicorn Rainbow Sparkly Theatre Company!

« on: May 24, 2012, 08:20 am »

and to add to the above:

all company members actually read and respond to all reports/emails sent to them.

101

The Green Room / Re: Introducing the Unicorn Rainbow Sparkly Theatre Company!

« on: May 23, 2012, 07:50 am »

The actors, crew, and SM never get sick BUT we have an adequate number of understudies/ASMs/crew swings who have had lots of rehearsal time just in case.

102

Self-Promotion / The 39 Steps

« on: Apr 16, 2012, 08:39 am »

I am currently working on a production of The 39 Steps at Olney Theatre Center in Olney, MD (DC metro area).  It is one of the most technically challenging shows I've done, but in an amazing kind of way.  It's being performed in our Lab space, which is a 150 seat black box with no fly space.  The artistic team has come up with some really creative and inventive ways of transforming the space to fit the show.  We haven't even opened yet and we've already extended one week.  Previews start this Wednesday and we currently run through May 20.  Please visit The 39 Steps page on our website for more details.

If you are in the DC metro area and are interested in shadowing, please PM me. 

103

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Re: ESCRIPTS: Post your requests for electronic scripts here!

« on: Apr 11, 2012, 08:32 am »

Does anyone have A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum? Word or pdf is fine.  Please PM me for my address. 

104

Tools of the Trade / Re: Running sound cues in rehearsal

« on: Apr 05, 2012, 10:58 pm »

I'm working with a QLab session for the production of The 39 Steps that I am currently working on.  Our sound engineer setup my computer with a remote desktop application that allows me to control the sound computer in the theatre and setup a base level for the sound system in the space .  The sound designer has uploaded a QLab file into the Dropbox folder we setup for the show.  I am only hitting the GO button on the cues; I put all notes the director has for the designer into the report and the designer makes all of the changes.  It has been incredibly helpful to the cast and director to have sound in rehearsal this early.  Sound is a major component to our production and I'm thankful we've been able to work with it from day 2 of rehearsal. 

I think a basic understanding of QLab as part of a well-rounded undergraduate theatre education is worthwhile.  However, I do not believe the SM should be making adjustments to the cues in rehearsal; that is a conversation for the director and designer. 

105

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Orchestras moving out of the pit

« on: Mar 25, 2012, 12:04 am »

In case you don't want to activate the facebook social reader:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/24/arts/music/moving-orchestras-out-of-sight-maybe-even-out-of-the-theater.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=orchestra&st=cse

I love seeing the conductor and knowing without a doubt the music is live.  I also love when I see young children walk up and look over the railing and wave down to the musicians.  It's part of the theatre magic and the experience.  I have not been to see a musical where the pit was in another room/building so it's hard to comment on what the show sounds like.  Just because technology has advanced to a point where producers can do this doesn't mean it should be a national trend.